How does Columbus market itself to city manager applicants? What’s in the job ad
If you’ve ever wondered how Columbus would describe itself, here’s the chance to found out.
The Columbus Consolidated Government has posted an advertisement to attract applicants for its city manager vacancy, a process which requires the local government to describe itself, the city and the job.
One prominent example on the National League of Cities website features CCG’s pitch to applicants:
How our local government describes Columbus
CCG calls Columbus a “dynamic urban community” and “a recognized leader among its peer cities.”
As the state’s first city-county consolidated government (approved by votes in 1970), Columbus “takes pride in its operational efficiency and the exceptional quality of life it provides,” the ad says. “The city has become a model for effective public-private partnerships, which have fostered significant economic development, cultural, and recreational growth.”
The ad says Columbus is Georgia’s second-largest city, with approximately 200,000 residents in its 221 square miles.
“Columbus is known for its historic downtown/uptown district near the breathtaking Riverwalk,” the ad says. “It is home to Fort Benning, the Best Army Installation in the world; the 148-year-old Springer Opera House, the State Theater of Georgia; and the corporate headquarters of Aflac, Total System Services (TSYS)/Global Payments and Synovus Financial Corp.”
The ad highlights Wallet Hub’s ranking of Columbus among the Best Run Cities in America. The 2025 ranking for Columbus is 20th out of 148 best-run U.S. cities.
“In addition to its thriving economic development, Columbus provides excellent education, housing, entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities that are second to none,” the ad says. “The cost of living is quite competitive, and the quality of life creates a sense of belonging for its residents.”
Columbus city manager job description
The city manager oversees the operations, finances and workforce activities in the Columbus Consolidated Government, except services provided by elected constitutional officers in Muscogee County, such as the sheriff. Duties of the city manager listed in the ad are:
- Implementing legislative policies
- Preparing the annual budget
- Managing personnel matters
- Recommending policies and programs
- Ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations
- Facilitating effective communication among city staff and the public.
The city manager “is expected to continuously introduce innovative solutions to enhance governmental services and infrastructure, including zoning/planning, engineering projects, transportation planning and operations, building code compliance and enforcement, construction of capital improvement projects, and community reinvestment efforts,” the ad says.
Updating the mayor and Columbus Council on the city’s financial status, active project and departmental operations are other responsibilities for the city manager.
The city charter empowers the mayor to be the public safety director, coordinating the administration of the police, fire and prison operations.
“CCG employs a diverse workforce of 3,000 full-time and part-time employees across various departments,” the ad says. “The annual operating budget is $394,618,280.”
Columbus city manager salary and benefits
The ad mentions two different starting salary ranges for this position, $210,000-$225,000 and $210,000-$250,000. Either way, the city manager is the highest-paid CCG employee. And the new city manager could start with a higher salary than the previous one.
Isaiah Hugley had a salary of $213,278.52 when the Columbus Council fired him in May. Hugley, who is among eight candidates running for mayor in Columbus, was city manager for 20 of his 41 years working in CCG.
The benefits listed in the city manager ad are “low-cost health, dental, vision insurance, flexible spending account, retirement plan, deferred compensation plan, life insurance plans, onsite health and wellness center, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave and an employee assistance program. Relocation assistance may be negotiated with the successful candidate.”
The ad also notes, “The cost of living is quite competitive, and the quality of life creates a sense of belonging for its residents.”
It indeed is comparatively cheap to live in Columbus. The Economic Research Institute ranks the cost of living in Columbus 19% below the national average (5,641st out of the 6,011 most expensive U.S. cities) and 12% below the state average (133rd out of the 141 most expensive Georgia cities).
Qualifications to be Columbus city manager
The ad lists the following qualifications to be Columbus city manager:
- Bachelor’s degree required in public administration, urban management, business administration/management or related degree from an accredited university. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial or administrative experience in a local government as a city or county manager, deputy manager or administrator; or as an upper-level executive manager in an organization with comparable complexities of CCG. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the job will be considered.
- Evidence of continued professional development, such as International City/County Management Association credentialed manager certification, “is a positive indication of commitment to the profession and will be noted during the candidate vetting process.”
- Must have or be able to readily obtain a valid Georgia driver’s license.
The application packet requests a cover letter, resume, at least five professional references (names, phone numbers and email addresses) and the candidate’s salary history. Applications should be emailed to Lisa Ward, lisaward912@gmail.com, senior associate at Mercer Group Associates, the Arizona-based consulting firm conducting the Columbus city manager search. The application deadline is Sept. 19.
Ideal candidate to be Columbus city manager
The ad describes the ideal candidate to be Columbus city manaer as someone who is “an experienced, strategic, and visionary leader who communicates effectively, works collaboratively, builds partnerships, and can lead a team of public service professionals to focus on the goals and directives of the Mayor and Council.”
The ideal candidate “should have a proven record of successfully managing a complex, multifaceted, government organization with shifting priorities and opportunities,” the ad says. “The successful candidate will exhibit transparency, a community engagement focus, and exceptional leadership qualities including honesty, integrity, diplomacy, inclusiveness, empathy, and accountability.”
Who hires the Columbus city manager?
The mayor appoints the city manager, who must be approved by a majority of the Columbus Council to be hired.
